At the airport, every traveler's goal is to get past that security checkpoint and relax. While everyone has their own system of putting their stuff in the trays, former Secretary of Homeland Security Michael Chertoff has a precise order that helps him get through and dressed in seconds.

The key tool in his arsenal is his jacket. Instead of taking his wallet, electronics, and other small items out of his pockets and into the tray, he prepacks his jacket pockets and then just places the jacket in the tray.

He uses a specific sequence for the trays, too, so once he gets to the other end, he can get to the boarding gate in a jiffy:

In the airport, after you show your documents, put your license back in your [shirt] pocket-you don't want to lose it. At the bag screening, the shoes go off first-I always wear loafers. Then I put my jacket in a tray behind the shoes, and my liquids on top of the jacket. The laptop goes in the next tray, then my carry-on follows. I sequence it that way so I can reverse the unpacking process at the other end. You put your shoes and your jacket on, then your hands are free to grab the liquids and the laptop, and the bag's right there. I don't use the benches. I'm dressed within a few seconds.

This is similar to a strategy we've suggested before in a checklist for getting through the airport quickly. Being prepared and having the right order for all your stuff can take the stress off of your travel and get you to the gate on time. Of course, there's no one single way to do things, so if you have any of your own security check-in or travel time savers, we're all ears in the comments.

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Chertoff's instructions are part of Businessweek's annual issue of How-To's from experts, where you'll find other instructions like how to dress for work from designer Michael Kors, how to take a punch from boxer Freddie Roach, and how to do a how-to from Martha Stewart. Enjoy!